Baked apple slices, hot and bubbly in naturally sweet apple cider with warm spices. Yep, this recipe makes the perfect paleo dessert or sweet breakfast treat to welcome fall!
Hi friends! Just letting you know this apple dessert recipe originally published a few years ago, but we’ve recently updated the recipe and added a few photos! Plus, it’s a seasonal recipe we’ve really been enjoying lately!
As I sit here typing, this very dish, a hot fruit bake with baked apple slices, is my oven. Third time making it. Yup! And the house smells A M A Z I N G!!
I’m not lying when I say the aroma is half of the reason I make this. In fact, it’s become my go to real food “potpourri.” The smell alone makes me feel like it’s Christmas morning, which makes me happy.
Kinda like these sticky coffee cake muffins. Don’t worry, Christmas is still a wee bit away from now!
Anyway, let’s talk about the deliciousness and simplicity of this paleo dessert. Yes, I said paleo. As in paleo friendly ingredients. I’m not sure cave men knew what caramel or cider was way back then, but you get my drift. This recipe is made with REAL food.
Cider baked apple slices
Fall’s favorite fruit, apples, are even sweeter when they’re baked with caramelized coconut sugar, chopped nuts, spices, and apple cider!
This dessert is a version of an old family recipe for spiced hot fruit bake. But this is paleo friendly and healthy.
And by healthy, I mean healthier, or rather, healthyish. By no means is this a superfood recipe.
But, it’s a HEALTHIER dessert, brunch, or breakfast topping option, and there are NO refined sugars.
Plus, it’s easy to make, and delicious. You can enjoy this as is, or use the baked apple slices in a tart, or as a topping for waffles, paleo pancakes, oatmeal, or ice cream.
INGREDIENTS + SUBSTITUTIONS
- butter – if you want to keep it lactose-free, use vegan butter or ghee
- coconut sugar – or you can use monk fruit sugar for low glycemic option.
- cinnamon and nutmeg – apple pie spice or pumpkin spice are great substitutes, because both of those blends include cinnamon and nutmeg!
- vanilla extract – if you want to add a nutty taste, almond extract is a great choice
- maple syrup – honey works great as well
- sliced baking apples – I use a combination of red and green. Firmer apples like Granny Smith and Gala will hold up better. If you want more of a chunky applesauce texture, choose a softer flesh apple, like McIntosh or Golden Delicious
- sweetened or unsweetened apple juice mixed with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar – this combo acts as as a replacement for apple cider. Plus, the vinegar prevents the apples from turning brown
- OPTIONAL toasted nuts – choose your favorite. Walnuts, pecans, or almonds all taste great with baked apple slices
Paleo dessert recipe video:
Watch this quick video to see just how easy this sweet treat is to make.
There really isn’t a lot of assembly required here. In fact, this recipe is pretty darn easy to make, especially because you don’t have to peel the apples!
INSTRUCTIONS
- Wash and slice the apples.
- Make the apple cider caramel. This is just a matter of melting the butter in a saucepan, then stirring in the sugar, and allowing it to caramelize. Easy peasy. After that, just stir in the other ingredients and let the mixture thicken a bit.
- Place apple slices into casserole dish and pour syrup over them.
- Bake in the oven until you have hot, bubbly, caramelized apple slices!
Heavens, yes! Sweet, tart, buttery baked fruit goodness.
Plus, the heavenly aroma. This dessert is everything that is perfect about fall…
Cider Baked Apple Slices (Gluten Free + Paleo Dessert)
- Total Time: 1 hr 15 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Baked apple slices, hot and bubbly in naturally sweet apple cider with warm spices. Make this paleo dessert recipe to welcome fall!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (8 tbsp) or vegan butter/ghee for lactose free
- 1/3 cup raw sugar or coconut sugar (see notes for less sugar option)
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–4 tbsp maple syrup
- 5 –6 cups (250 –260 grams or so) of sliced apples (red, green, or mixed)
- 1/2 cup apple juice mixed with 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar (this combo acts as the apple cider part)
- optional: 1/3 cup toasted nuts topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 F. Slice your apples. Leave peel on. Place in a large bowl.
- In a small pot, combine the butter, maple syrup, sugar, vanilla, and spices.
- Bring to a soft boil and then reduce to low for 5 minutes. Just until it thickens or “caramelizes” a bit.
- Next pour your caramelized sugar over your apples in a bowl. Mix thorough.
- Place caramelized apples in a large casserole dish. Spread out evenly. Pour the apple juice/cider mix evenly on top.
- Sprinkle extra sugar and/or nuts if desired.
- Place in oven at 325 F for 1 hour, mixing apples halfway through baking.
- Remove from oven and serve immediately or cover, refrigerate and cool for later use.
- If serving later, rewarm in oven when ready.
Notes
Works well with vegan butter or ghee if you need to adjust for paleo/vegan. Great to make ahead and then reheat for serving.
Instead of nut topping, you can add in seeds or even leave without.
For lower sugar option feel free to use Monk fruit or baking stevia.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hr 5 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 194
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 3.7 mg
- Fat: 11.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 23.6 g
- Fiber: 2.1 g
- Protein: 0.4 g
- Cholesterol: 30.5 mg
Keywords: caramelized apples, baked apple slices, fall dessert recipe, gluten free desserts, paleo dessert
Other ways to enjoy cider baked apple slices
- On gluten free pancakes.
- With homemade no-churn vegan ice cream.
- With coconut whipped cream or frosting.
- On waffles.
- With roasted pork or pot roast! Oh my gosh, YUM!
Tell me what you’re looking forward to making this season.
Happy Fall! Happy Baking!
Cheers,
LC
